Oil-Free

This is one of my absolute favorite dishes of all time. It’s hot and comforting, yet refreshing and energizing. You almost can’t place the cuisine – is it Mediterranean with the sun-dried tomatoes and lemon zest? Is it Southeast Asian with it’s coconut, garlic, ginger combo? Is it Indian in it’s curry-like beginnings? I think that’s what makes this dish wholesome year-round: sun-dried tomatoes and lemon zest evoke the end of summer, and the garlic-ginger-coconut milk warmth evokes the height of winter. So get to it – anytime is a perfect time for this creamy bowl of goodness. The trick here is two-fold: sweating the onions slowly without oil in a bit of broth to get a rich base, and then toasting the chickpeas before adding the coconut milk to get a nice texture from the beans. Don’t skimp on the ginger powder and extra lemon at the end – it’s what really makes this dish zing!

Heat a large dutch oven or deep sauté pan over medium heat and then add onions, a tablespoon of broth, and a good pinch of salt. Let the onions sweat for about 10 minutes or until translucent, adding a few tablespoons of broth at a time to prevent sticking. Once soft, add the garlic and ginger and let cook for 1 minute. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, lemon zest and chili flakes. Let cook for another minute or so.

Next, add the chickpeas and stir to coat in the tomato mixture. Turn up the heat slightly and toast the chickpeas a bit, 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them though so they don't scorch; you just want them to have a little color. Use a tablespoon of broth if needed to prevent sticking.

Once the chickpeas are heated through, turn the heat down slightly and start to add the spinach, a handful at a time. Note: If using baby spinach you can add it as is. If you are using regular spinach, you will need to chop or tear it up a bit.

Once the first bunch of spinach has started to wilt, add in the next handful. Continue until all of the spinach has been added.

To finish the dish, add the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Stir to combine and then add the ground ginger and a bit of the reserved lemon juice. Taste for seasoning. Add more lemon juice, salt and/or pepper as needed.

Once everything has heated through, serve immediately. (The spinach will start to lose its color and it won't look as nice.) Serve over sweet potato, brown rice, or any grain of your choice. Garnish each plate with cilantro and enjoy!

Notes

* - Soak dried tomatoes in water for 15 minutes to plump them up. Alternatively, if using sun-dried tomatoes stored in oil, simply drain, rinse and pat dry tomatoes.

** - 2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 can (15oz)

*** - You can you light or full-fat coconut milk. The former is lower in fat and will give you a broth-type consistency while the latter has more fat but will also be more creamy.

Homemade pho. YES! This is one of those recipes that is so easy to make. Just chop everything up and stick it in a pot for an hour. Voila! Nearly a gallon of homemade pho stock, ready to use whenever you’ve got a craving for something warm and cozy.Yes this stock uses a lot of ingredients, but the majority of them are probably already staples in your fridge or pantry.The best thing about this pho is that it is SO healthy. It has all the warming spices that fight inflammation to keep you healthy through the winter AND there’s no oil in this recipe! If you want to add some protein, try my Smoky Baked Tofu sliced on top.Stay warm friends!

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Place ALL ingredients into a large stockpot. Bring to a boil then lower heat to a simmer.

Allow to simmer uncovered for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.To avoid added bitterness to the stock, be sure to remove the citrus halfway through the cooking process.

Remove from heat and allow to cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Place a fine mesh strainer over a medium bowl (or use a strainer lined with cheesecloth). Pour the stock into the strainer, allowing the liquid to pour through.

The stock should be dark and golden in color. If it's not then return to stock pot and reduce for longer to concentrate the flavors. Taste for salt.

If not using the stock immediately, quickly chill, then store in the refrigerator or freeze until ready to use in an airtight container.